It has been more than evident in recent days, actually in the last few months, that this edition of the Dodgers is not the 2024 version. Despite several high-profile off-season additions, the product has been flawed pretty much from the get-go. Since they started the season 8-0, they have gone 63-54. Just 9 games over .500. Since the All-Star break, they are 13-15. They were swept twice in 3-game series by the Brewers and then the Angels.
The reason is quite obvious to me. Injuries both to key pitchers, Snell, Glasnow, Sasaki, Treinen, Scott have all impacted the pitching staff forcing the use of guys like Sauer, Knack, Garcia, Trevino, Klein, the list goes on and on. Mookie’s illness, the injuries to Max, Teo, Edman, Kim, and Kike. The team has used players they never expected to use this year. I am pretty sure they felt Freeland would be in AAA all season.
Rushing was recalled when they DFAd Barnes and Kim replaced Taylor. Kim was doing a very good job in limited play before his injury. Poor Muncy had just found his stroke when the knee contusion knocked him out, then he returns from that and strains his oblique. Betts has just barely started to look like himself. For some unknown reason, Freeman, who was crushing baseballs all through May, went into a swoon in June that lasted until just a couple weeks ago. His BA dropped from .374 down to .296.
For most fans, the trade deadline was a dud. They added an old friend, Brock Stewart, and he ends up on the IL with shoulder troubles after just 4 games. Alex Call, the outfielder they got to more or less platoon with Conforto, started off cold. He finally warmed up against the Rockies tonight with 4 hits, including his first Dodger homer. Ohtani has provided a lot of power and is coming along as a starter but has yet to go five innings. The nice surprise has been the pitching of Clayton Kershaw. 7-2 with a 3.01 ERA, Kersh is winning with less than impressive stuff, but a lot of savvy. They traded May simply because he is a free agent after the year and he was totally inconsistent. The two minor league outfielders they got in return are doing well.
Some fans complained that they show no fire. That has been said of many Dodger teams in the past, but if everyone was healthy, we would not even be discussing this. They have still after all the injuries, one of the most potent offenses in the league. They already have 185 homers. The only so called regular without double digit homers is Conforto, who has 9. Kike, who has 8, could reach that amount if he has a decent September.
I think it is a good thing that they are being severely challenged by the Padres. They seem to play better when they are pushed. That happened last year when SD came in for their last series in LA and after winning the first game and closing the gap to 2, the Dodgers won the next two and took the lead to 4 games. They have a chance to pull of the same kind of thing this weekend. Last year in the LDS, when they were on the brink of being eliminated in the first round for the third straight season, they played some of their best baseball. They won a bullpen game to even the series, then rode the Hernandez boy’s homers to win the series. Yoshi pitched one of his better games that night, and they beat Darvish.
I still believe this team has that kind of Hutzpah. I believe by playoff time; the rotation is going to be as good as any rotation they have ever taken into the playoffs. As long as they are all healthy. They will choose the best fits for the bullpen, and hopefully all of the position players will be healthy and ready to go. It is extremely hard to win a pennant, let alone back-to-back pennants. If they are good enough to do that and make it back to the World Series, they then have the chance to repeat. But ya gotta get there first.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle) 7 – OKC Comets 6 – 10 innings
Roki Sasaki had a much better start in this one
Sasaki struck out the first batter in the 4th, but walked the second. He was pulled for Logan Boyer who gave up three straight singles allowing 2 runs to score. Sasaki was charged for 2 runs, 1 earned, on 3 hits, 3 BB, and 2 K. He threw 60 pitches in 3.1 IP. Not very good, but a big improvement.
That's it for #Dodgers Roki Sasaki. Decent second rehab. For me, he will not be back with the Dodgers anytime soon. Final – 60 P / 39 S / 3.1 IP / 3 H / 1 R / 3 BB / 2 K. FB topped out at 98 mph, 1 slider for 89 mph, mostly threw splitters 83-86 mph. #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/dBrvWUZHiu
— Dodgers_After_Duty (@msalas24) August 21, 2025
Michael Kopech followed Boyer. He gave up a 1-out double and walked the next two batters. He then induced a fly out to Ryan Ward in LF (he made the catch), and struck out the next batter for a scoreless inning.
OKC scored in the 3rd on back to back doubles by Esteury Ruiz and Kiké Hernández. It was Kiké’s 2nd hit in his 1st rehab game. He was the DH.
In the 6th, José Ramos reached on a fielding error in CF and scored on Austin Gauthier’s single.
With Garrett McDaniels on the mound, the first batter reached on an error by Gauthier. McDaniels got the next two outs, but Leody Tavares doubled home the run, and the Rainiers pushed their lead back up to 4-2.
OKC got a run back in the 7th. With 2 outs, Ruiz singles, and steals 2B (50). Nick Senzel drew a BB, and Ryan Ward singled home Ruiz.
Ryan Ward lines it to left and scores Esteury Ruiz! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/KqwmUHFjQ9
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) August 21, 2025
In the bottom of the 7th, McDaniels went back out and walked the first batter who stole 2B. McDaniels struck out the next batter and was relieved by Bobby Miller. Miller got the two batters he faced to leave the runner stranded. This was the first game that Miller pitched in back to back games. This was the final box to check for Miller. I do not know if he will get recalled, but he has done everything he needs to do get that call.
Bobby Miller came in with an out in the seventh inning and got a strikeout touching 100 and a ground out. Photo by Barry of @BookThatTruck, God bless em! pic.twitter.com/WyezQqbTY3
— Howard Cole (@Howard_Cole) August 21, 2025
OKC ties the score in the 8th. CJ Alexander singled, stole 2B, and scored on Gauthier’s 2nd RBI single.
Sam Carlson relieved Miller. He struck out the first two batters, but then gave up the go-ahead HR.
OKC came back and tied it up in the 9th. With one out, Ward doubled (29), and moved to 3rd on a WP. Ward scored on a Luken Baker sac fly.
Will Klein relieved Carlson in the bottom of the 9th to try to force extra innings. He retired the side in order with 2 K.
With CJ Alexander on 2B as the placed runner. With one out, Alexander moves to 3rd on a WP and scored on a Noah Miller sac fly.
Klein went back out in the 10th. He struck out the 1st batter and walked the 2nd. The Tacoma runners pulled off a double steal with the tying run 90 feet away and the winning run in scoring position. Klein IBB the next batter to load the bases and set up a DP. Instead Victor Robles hit a walkoff single scoring 2.
- Kiké Hernández – 2-3, 1 RBI, double (1)
- Esteury Ruiz – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, double (19)
- Ryan Ward – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (29)
- José Ramos – 2-5, 1 run
- Austin Gauthier – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 RBI
Tulsa Drillers 2 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 1 – Game 1 – 8 innings
Tulsa got a HR from Griffin Lockwood Powell (4) to tie the score in the 5th.
In the 8th, Taylor Young was the placed runner at 2nd. John Rhodes was HBP and Eduardo Guerrero hit a sac bunt with Young scoring on the throwing error.
Chris Campos pitched 2 scoreless innings before giving way to Jerming Rosario. Rosario gave up a HR for NWA’s only HR in his 2.0 IP.
Kelvin Ramirez and Christian Suarez followed with scoreless inning through 6.
Carson Hobbs shuts out Naturals in 7th and 8th for the win. He allowed 1 hit and a BB, but remains unscored on in his 9th game and 13.1 IP at AA. He has 16 K against 2 BB. Batting Average against is .109, and his WHIP is 0.53. I am not sure you can be more dominant than that.
NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 5 – Tulsa Drillers 1 – 7 innings – Game 2
NWA scored all 5 of their runs off Wyatt Crowell in 2.2 IP. He allowed 6 hits, 4 BB, and compiled 3 K. Livan Reinoso and Kelvin Bautista did not allow a baserunner the final 3.1 IP.
The Drillers lone run came home on a Zach Ehrhard sac fly, and was an unearned run.
The Drillers had 4 singles, 2 by Chris Newell.
Great Lakes Loons 2 – Quad Cities River Bandits (KC) 1
Logan Tabeling started and went 5.0 innings, and Brooks Auger finished the final 4.0. They allowed a combined 1 run on 4 hits, 5 BB, 12 K.
Eduardo Quintero hit a HR in the 1st to give the Loons the lead. In the 3rd, Frank Rodriguez drew a 1-out walk. Kendall George followed with an infield single, and Rodriguez came all the way around to score on a throwing error.
Eduardo Quintero sizzles his 16th homer of the season — 2nd for the High-A @greatlakesloons 🔥
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 20, 2025
MLB's No. 55 prospect (@Dodgers) is one of just two teenagers with 15+ HR and 40+ SB in 2025, joining Konnor Griffin (No. 1 overall): pic.twitter.com/lKbEZeRHOH
The River Bandits scored their only run on a balk in the 5th.
Kendall George was 2-3 and the only Loons batter with a multi-hit game.
#Dodgers currently have three of the Top 10 outfield prospects in @MiLB, and they're all with the Loons! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/wfIvGNx8qa
— Great Lakes Loons (@greatlakesloons) August 20, 2025
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4 – Modesto Nuts (Seattle) 2
Isaac Ayon started and completed 3.0 scoreless innings. He allowed 1 hit and 1 BB to go with 2 K. 20 year old RHP Domingo Geronimo followed with 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 BB, and 4 K.
The Quakes scored the first run in the 2nd. Mairo Martinus singled, stole 2B, and scored on an Angel Diaz single. The Quakes put up 2 more in the 5th. Niko Perez drew a BB and Charles Davalan reached on an E5 with Perez moving to 3rd. Davalan stole 2B and Perez stole home on a double steal. Davalan moved to 3rd on a WP, and scored on an Emil Morales single.
Jhonny Jimenez relieved Geronimo and allowed a pair of unearned runs.
With the score now at 3-2, Morales hit a solo HR in the 8th.
Charles Davalan started his 2nd game and went 1-3 with a BB in the leadoff role playing CF. He is now 3-7 with 2 BB.
3B Mairo Martinus was 2-3, while Emil Morales was 2-4 with 2 RBI and his 5th HR at RC. Including his time in the ACL, Morales now has 14 HR on the season.
Emil Morales has made ESPN’s updated top 100.
ESPN updated their top 100 prospects list. Seven from the Dodgers farm made the cut!
— Dodgers Tailgate (@DodgersTailgate) August 20, 2025
12. Josue De Paula OF
44. Eduardo Quintero OF
46. Zyhir Hope OF
56. Mike Sirota OF
73. Alex Freeland IF
85. Emil Morales IF
99. Jackson Ferris LHP
Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear
That was about as pathetic of a game as I can remember. The mighty LAD lineup led by HOF players included:
· Michael Conforto – .190 BA, .626 OPS – Went 0-4
· Alex Freeland – .174 BA, .517 OPS – Went 1-4
· Buddy Kennedy – .095 BA, .317 OPS – Went 0-4
Freeland is the only player who should be on the roster. He will be optioned once the others return from the IL.
The last place Rockies bottom three hitters:
· Orlando Arcia – .190/.503 – Went 1-2, 1 BB, 1 Sac Fly
· Brenton Doyle – .238/.666 – Went 2-4
· Ryan Ritter – .252/.672 – Went 1-4
Maybe it’s time to put an end to Ohtani pitching this year? Is he really a better option as #4 playoff pitcher than Kershaw? He has already qualified to be a 2-way player for 2026. There is no reason to continue for this year.
The OF defense continues to flail. Buddy Kennedy flailed at a ground ball, but at least he has made a few good plays. Not as many as Alex Freeland.
Meanwhile James Outman went 2 -4 with 2 doubles for Minnesota. He is now 3-12 with 2 doubles and a triple. Oh and he can play defense in CF or LF or RF.
Dustin May? 3 games started, 15.2 IP, 2.87 ERA, 146 ERA+, 4 BB, 17 K.
Outman with only 1 K.
Ohtani certainly not Ace like. Kershaw pitching more Ace like.
I thought the same thing watching Ohtani. I think there is a definite argument to make that Kershaw should start a playoff game over Ohtani.
Miller definitely deserves a chance. I would be surprised if he is not in the Dodger bullpen soon. His numbers in relief are outstanding.
Freeland has looked better at the plate in the last week though he has had some bad batted ball luck.
Freeland moved up the ranks quickly and each time he evolved. If Muncy returns i would keep Freeland at second. If Edman returns I’ll assume he is 100 percent and put him in CF
Agreed. I would prefer Freeland over Conforto. Even if they are a push offensively, Freeland and Edman are both better defenders at their position than Conforto.
And yet another clunker.
Dodgers are a tough watch these days.
Lets hope the cavalary is arriving soon. Scott, Yates, Kopech, Miller for the pen.
But what to do with the struggling offense ? Can not even score at Coors vs a very pedestrian Rockies pitching staff.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is just a bad baseball team period right now to many excuses for poor fundamentals and arrogant management Friedman et.al. Have had a very bad year in who they chose to sign.
Did not expect much with three guys below the Mendoza line starting and Mookie on the bench. Kyle Tucker has been playing with a fractured hand since July. Bellinger is hitting .266 with 22 homers. Wish he was patrolling CF. He hit 2 of the Yankees 9 bombs on Tuesday. About this time last year, LA DFAd Jason Heyward. About time to do the same to Conforto. I have seen enough of his act. Starting pitcher with a plus 7 ERA and you score 1????? Pitiful. Smith will sit today with a day game following a night game. One game up on San Diego, and the Dodgers are 31-31 on the road. Need a win today, and at least 2 of 3 in SD.
A Big “L”, today. At Petco.
Down one game in the West.
Down the homestretch we go, in a heated pennant race, in a series against an awful team, and the best we can do is a split. And it’s evident coaching fundamentals don’t really matter to this organization. Slice it anyway you want, but we’re watching a pathetic reality.
Yes, the Dodgers have legitimate excuses (i.e. injuries/maybe age?) for what they are now. But strange FO decisions and coaching failures are also glaringly obvious. So at some point, the ppl not wearing uniforms must be held accountable too.
Yes, this comes down to a 2 month season. How will the team play in September and October?
If they are not at full strength it will likely be more of the same. And since this team hasn’t been at full strength all year, how can we believe they will be for 60 days of late Summer early Fall baseball?
Hope, that’s how.
We hope Edman and Muncy. We hope Kiké and Kim. We hope Scott, Yates, Kopech, Treinen and Stewart. We hope Mookie, Teo, Freeman and Conforto. We hope it all comes together as everyone who knows baseball knows it’s how you finish.
And Ohtani? Yeah, maybe it’s time to just let him think about hitting the rest of the way.
There is still reason to believe in this team. They are capable of 8 runs on any given night. They are also capable of flopping like fish in the sand.
I sure hope they don’t flop to the finish.
At this point, hopeium is all we have to hang on to. But it’s been clear for a long time that the FO are just flat-out WRONG to believe hopeium will turn things around for Conforto.
Excellent prospect talent. Quintero keeps climbing and climbing. End of 2027 debut?
The problem lies in the fact that there is not much they can do with the roster at his point in time unless they DFA some guys and call up minor leaguers. I think it is a waste having Dean on the roster and not utilizing his speed and defensive prowess. DFA Conforto, put Dean in center, move Pages to right, Teo to left. Dean cannot be any worse than Conforto at the plate at this point in time. They missed a chance to upgrade some when they let Fraley be claimed by the Braves. Let’s face it, this team needs a serious spark. Gervase was not that impressive. Bring up Miller and see what he can do. I have totally reversed my stance on Ward. Give the guy a shot. He can at least hit the ball.
Just my opinion on Conforto. I think they wait until September so he can’t get on some other teams roster. He is sooo bad but even worse if he ended up on a playoff roster like San Diego n got a scratch hit against us. I agree put Dean in because he can’t be any worse. DFA Kennedy n play Freeland who can’t be any worse. Play Call everyday until Conforto is dfa September 1. For me Teo has been a huge disappointment thus far. I don’t remember him being this bad in left. Move him to left whether he likes it or not. One option as u said Dean in cf, pages in right.
Teo has never really recovered from that injury he had. No, he was pretty solid in left last year. I DFA Conforto now. SD would not pick him up since they have a glut of outfielders now.
Lets assume the will not DFA Conforto. Maybe platoon him with Teo in LF who also hasn’t been awesome this year. Not a strict R/L platoon but neither have earned playing everyday. To be clear I want them to DFA Conforto, just doesn’t look like they will.
They probably will not. I have no clue who they will call up September 1st. But Kennedy, Dean, Freeland will all be gone as soon as Muncy, Kike, Kim and Edman are healthy. I do not expect much from this bunch. Ohtani is going to sit today. So will Smith. Betts should be back in the lineup. I play Rojas at second and Freeland at third today. Rushing will be catching. Rockies pitcher today, Dollander, is 2-9 with a plus 6 ERA. Lets hope Kersh is on his game.
This has been a confounding season. But, in some respects, predictable. They signed pitchers with an injury history or injury concerns – Snell, Glasnow, Sasaki, Treinen. It is a team with a hitting philosophy predicated on power yet has seen below average power seasons from Freeman and Betts. Teoscar is below his pace from last year and Conforto has not given them what they thought. Their bench to start the year was Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes, Kike Hernandez, Miguel Rojas. Once again, the lack of position player depth in their farm system has been an issue. When Conforto, Hernandez, and Pages are in the outfield, it is the worst defensive outfield in baseball. Yet, they will likely make the playoffs and enter with the best rotation of all playoff teams. Thanks for the work you put in on this post.
Pretty shocking last 2 outings by Ohtani! Where’s the 100mph 4 seamer? A guy with an 8 era shuts us down in Coors field. That’s embarrassing. As bad as we are right now, this is still a dangerous team in October with all the starting pitcher. If Kersh continues to pitch like this he will be a starter in the playoffs and maybe Ohtani comes on in relief. Tho where and when does he warm up? I would have expected Tibbs to be on that prospect list as well. Hopefully we can get at least a couple of starters from that outfield group and possibly a star? Right now our best 2 prospects are overmatched by big league pitching
Jeff, I seldom disagree with your posts but I do with this mornings statement
“I think it is a good thing that they are being severely challenged by the Padres. They seem to play better when they are pushed.”
That may be true when all the troops are back, but this group right now won’t win shit with the way they are playing. Maybe they can start with just playing basic fundamental baseball like throwing to the right bases and not letting mediocre pitchers shut down the offense. And it’s way past time to get rid of Conforto and let Ward be a bat off the bench.
Not to be redundant but I’m reposting my rant from last night. This was an embarrassment.
.
Holy shit. Wednesday nights game has to be one of the most pathetic losses in a critical stretch in the schedule I’ve ever seen. The pitching, the offense, the defense, the fundamentals and the lineup were horseshit.
*Let’s start with the lineup. This isn’t just another series against what should be an overmatched team, in the Rockies. Not to me, anyway. There really needs to be some urgency for this series, coming into 4 with the Puds this weekend. No Mookie in the lineup. He’s starting to have productive at bats and I would not sit him. Alex Call goes like 4 for 5 which earns him a seat on the bench, in favor of Conforto, again. Due to splits? Alex is hitting .243 vs RHP. Conforto is hitting .179 vs RHP. And that is even less meaningful to me with Call coming off a big night.
*Tanner Gordon has an ERA a tick below 8.0 and we made him look like Cy Young. 5 hits and 1 ER in 6 complete. Are you kidding me?
*Why didn’t Ohtani advance to 3rd on the ball hit behind him?
* This team plays such poor fundamental baseball. Throwing to wrong bases, giving up an extra
90 feet and losing the double play option by throwing ahead of runners with no shot at throwing them out. Pages seems to think he can hose Superman going to first to third while allowing the hitter to stroll into 2nd.
*I’m good with Diaz going to OKC but who in the hell is Paul Gervase? Yes another lead off walk that scores. I know we were behind when he came in but I’m finding another pitcher in that spot to hold the Rockies.
*After Ohtani gets hit in the leg and is limping around. I’m taking him out. No conversation. He was ineffective anyway and I’m not risking further injury.
*Ohtani is scheduled for a “normal” day off tomorrow. Maybe he can’t answer the bell after being hit by the comebacker? But he would NOT get a scheduled rest day when we are trying to salvage a split with the Rockies.
*I’m playing Freeland every day at 3rd and hope he hits a bit. Kennedy is useless in the 9 hole.
*The Rockies outhit us 16 to 6 in a meaningful game.
*Orel this many nights in a row’s agony. How many excuses to we need? How about some accountability? He he said it once, he said it 100 times that our pitchers stuff suffers in the thin air and doesn’t break.
*That’s probably enough bitching but if the game was a sick horse they would have shot it after the 4th.
I’m sure I’m forgetting other stuff but this game was a totally shit show.
Yeah Phil, my post. Don’t pick on poor Jeff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry
It is ok, have done the same thing myself.
Phil, this is Bear’s post.
Sorry Jeff.
Totally agree
Ohtani and Teo sitting for today’s game. Lineup Betts SS, Freeman 1B, Smith DH, Conforto LF, Freeland 3B, Rushing C, Pages CF, Call RF, Rojas 2B. Kershaw P. Gervase optioned back to AAA, Sauer promoted.
Looks like a dozen ks today. Shall I go ahead and put Rushing down for 3? He is a worse hitter than Barnes but a better thrower for sure. Only Roberts can put a worse lineup out there after last nights debacle. The only guy to do damage was Teo but let’s don’t let him get hot. (Sarcasm)
Smith twice so far, Rushing has 1.
I wasn’t able to watch the game but congrats to Rushing with only 1 k and the dodgers only 9. A win to boot! Go dodgers! Where would we be without Kershaw. I thought our pitching staff would be dominate with Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Ohtani I mean how could u lose. None have been as advertised. Kershaw has been our most consistent. Snell I hope can be the guy. U never know what Yamamoto or Glasnow will do. Look great 1 game or a few innings of one game and the next time blow up in the first. Even in the Colorado game as bad as our d was he gives up a 2 strike homer to Tovar on a meatball pitch. Ohtani hasn’t helped the team pitching wise. He is heading the wrong direction. I forgot Sasaki. No help our starters and relievers have the same problem neither can throw strikes. High pitch counts for all. Fortunate to be in first place. If we can get healthy and perform as expected and things truly even out we in for a torrid finish.
Conforto batting cleanup. Total insanity. What am I missing???
With Ohtani and Teo sitting, I guess they wanted Pages a little lower in the order to sort of balance it out. Pages homer was only his 5th on the road this season. Game should not have been as close as it was. Bases loaded, less than 2 outs and they get just one when Smith is plunked?
Ohio, Unbelievable isn’t it.
Zero sense of urgency. Just more rest when we need the regu;lar starters to be turning it up. I don’t get it either but it sure looks like AF and Doc are trying to scrape by, get a wild card spot, have the A=Team ready for the playoffs and than turn on the switch and play like they haven’t all year.
Conforto at cleanup is takes the cake.
Ohtani got hit by a liner, and he had a planned day off anyway. Then he sat Teo. Not much else to choose from.
Probably replace him with Teo if he gets in the game or Ohtani if he pinch hits. But remember they are playing chess while we are playing checkers.
Right now they are playing Jenga.
So i’m still bitching over last night. I am no General Manager but I have to ask what AF is doing while we wait on Edman, Kike, Kim and Muncy. How come the players we brought up from AAA and elsewhere, can’t hit? At all?
I took a quick look and obviously it’s a small sample size.
Buddy Kennedy RHB – 4 games – 1 for 13, vs LHP =.125 RHP = 00 (that’s zero) He has made routine plays OK but nothing spectacular.
He will be gone when Muncy comes back, but what has he brought to the table?
Alex Call LF RHB – 9 games – 5 for 20 = .333 LHP = .313 RHP = .252 (nice job in LF, needs more PT)
Dalton Rushing – BA =.196 LHP=.167 RHP .205 (nice back up catcher. Limited AB’s and hasn’t hit shit)
Freeland – 3rd and 2nd .180 LHP .110 RHP .195 ( great defensively and should be at 2nd bailly with Miggy at 3rd)
Justin Dean -RHB, CF .233 in AAA. (nice speed ? in center with no reps) Was severely outhit by Ward in AAA
Conforto – RHP = .175 (his continued play is a mystery to us all)
I’m beginning to sound like Bradley but why hasn’t Ward gotten a call up to Pinch hit or play left field? He’s not a great left fielder, perhaps at .976 but it’s not like Conforto or Teo are great defensive outfielders.
Ryan Ward – LF, BA – .305/.976 , 35 HR, 112 RBI, LHP .219 RHP .340/1102.
So give him a look vs RHP. He can’t be worse than Conforto.
I’m sure Bear will make it clear about AF’s rationale but just maybe one of our AAA guys could come up and actually hit MLB pitching to some degree of success.
Nope, not going to defend him at all. I have no clue what the hell he is thinking. DFA Conforto, Kennedy, and let Ward and Senzel, who at least has some MLB experience take their place until the other guys are ready.
Freeland seems to be adapting to the MLB. Outman doing fine with the Twins. Edmond and Muncy don’t seem able to stay in the lineup.
Outman was pounding the ball in OK and he gets two starts with the Dodgers before being benched. Who pitched in those two games? Two guys that are competing for the Cy Young and it wasn’t like any other Dodger looked any better than Outman in those two games.
A couple of years from now we might be happy we kept our top prospects instead of trading them for Kwan. Trading prospects is like consuming alcohol. Fun today, sad tomorrow.
Outman had his chance in LA and failed. If he batted .250 he would still be on the team. Its like Bellinger, We stuck with him when he was the WORST hitter in MLB for 2 years. Glad he is successful now, but his time with us was over
Every year there are always a handful of great players that are ice cold through May. Outman had yet to build a resume that would have helped him stay in the lineup through an ice cold start to the year. But, his glove could have been good enough to keep him in the lineup, especially when Edman’s legs couldn’t keep him in CF.
And why is it that these players forgot how to hit and then re-learned when they left? Why is it that Michael Busch was sub Mendoza with LAD and should have been an All Star this year. Then we heard from Nomar today about Alex Freeland. Nomar reminded us that when Alex first came up, he was quick and short to the ball and was driving it. Then all of a sudden he got long and looking for a launch angle. The last couple of days, he went back to his swing when he first came up. Gee, I wonder what the common denominator is. Get rid of RVS and I think we will see a resurgence in the overall hitting even if there might be drop in HRs.
So you mention Busch.(I guy) I admit I don’t track all the players we let go. I do remember Vargas. On the other hand I remember Max Muncy and Justin Turner turning their career around coming here and also 9 of 10 straight division titles and 2 World Series. This year except for Conforto, I would say every hitter is suffering with injuries. And now Call crediting coaches with helping him. ( OK just 2 good games)
I agree with everyone–the Dodgers can and should do better than RVS as their hitting coach.
I’ll pile on and say maybe RVS’s time with the Dodgers should be over, ..or at least he should seriously consider some fundamental changes in his hitting philosophy for some of the players.
Jeff I totally agree on your last sentence
It’s time to move on from RVS this year has shown why with plenty of examples. Starting with the number of players that have endured extended slumps this season. Freddie 2 months, Teoscar 2 months Betts and Conforto all season. Rushing’s calling card was his bat, I realize playing twice a week doesn’t help but he’s a better hitter than he’s shown. RVS has never had to work his way out of a slump he is all theory. J.D. Martinez spent a day with Mookie and now he looks like the Mookie of old at the plate. I have no idea if Martinez would be interested in being a hitting coach but he surely couldn’t be worse than what’s happening now.
Conforto batting cleanup! What’s next for the SD series? Buddy Kennedy leadoff? How about Conforto batting third, and Justin Dean batting cleanup! I think Dodger’s management is just trolling everyone at this point.
The 2025 Dodgers! Catch the fever!
I’d lead Conforto off, followed by Dean, Kennedy, and Angel Pena batting 4th
I get it. Get the pitcher overconfident.
Hey — the Dodgers have won 5 of the last 7 games 🙂
[he said in a vacuum]
It’s a true statement, but it doesn’t feel right, does it?
14-16 since the All-Star break. 65-55 since starting 8-0. Playing with a bunch of guys who belong in AAA. So it is a wonder they have won that many.
not here.
Astros signed Kimbrel to a major league deal.
Not even were that desperate!
Kim played left field and was 2 for 3 in OKC. Kiké played center and was 2 for 3 also.
Update on Scott and Yates
If the Dodgers FO plays Conforto in the Padres series, then they’re officially NUTS!
Ron Fairly Fan said Kim played LF. Hmmm.
Oh they will.